Indiana police launch homicide investigation after deadly explosion

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (WTHR) -After more than a week of searching for clues police now say the explosion that leveled part of an Indianapolis neighborhood was not an accident.

"While the fire investigation has been progressing, there has been a parallel investigation, not solely focusing on the cause of the explosion but focusing on individuals who may have been responsible," Marion County prosecutor Terry Curry said Monday. "We can confirm tonight that there is an active criminal homicide investigation."

News of the criminal turn comes on the same day the two victims of the explosion, John and Jennifer Longworth, were laid to rest.

The couple lived next door to the house where the blast is believed to have originated, their home flattened.

Since the explosion, questions have surrounded the owner of the house in the center of the blast zone.

Monsey Shirley and her boyfriend were away at a casino that night and claim to have no knowledge of what caused the explosion.

"Its devastating and people keep asking me questions like I know something, I don't know nothing," she said.

In all more than 20 homes in the neighborhood were either destroyed or left uninhabitable.

Police say they have executed several search warrants in connection with the case and are on the look out for information about a white van seen in the neighborhood prior to the explosion.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco And Firearms offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.